Bournemouth vs West Ham Preview: Team News & Prediction
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AFC Bournemouth could do with rediscovering their touch as they prepare to take on West Ham United at the Vitality Stadium down on the south coast this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Universo
Bournemouth preview: The form has dipped
Andoni Iraola is an impressive coach but, amid reports suggesting that Antoine Semenyo will be available for as seemingly little as £65 million in the January transfer window, AFC Bournemouth’s form has dipped ahead of this one.
The Cherries headed into the November international break on the back of back-to-back losses. After a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, they then suffered a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Aston Villa at Villa Park.
West Ham preview: Some form has been found
The appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo didn’t immediately bring rewards and pressure began to grow on the former Nottingham Forest boss but West Ham United went into the break on the back of vital victories at home.
Having beaten a poor Newcastle United side by three goals to one, West Ham fought back to defeat fellow strugglers Burnley by three goals to two with goals from Callum Wilson, Jarrod Bowen and Kyle Walker-Peters.
Bournemouth team news: Semenyo issue
Amid reports suggesting Antoine Semenyo has a £65 million release clause that could be activated in January, the Ghana international attacker has 'aggrevated an issue' according to Andoni Iraola, and he is a major doubt for this one.
Ben Gannon Doak was stretchered off in Scotland's 4-2 defeat of Denmark to secure 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification in midweek and he is now a confirmed absentee alongside fellow attacker Justin Kluivert.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Smith, Senesi, Diakite, Truffert; Scott, Cook; Brooks, Christie, Tavernier; Evanilson
Unavailable: Akinmboni (Injured), Gannon Doak (Injured), Kluivert (Injured)
Questionable: Semenyo (Injured)
West Ham team news: Paqueta suspended
Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed that doubtful trio Konstantinos Mavropanos, Freddie Potts and Niclas Fullkrug are all recovering from respective knocks but will still have to be assessed ahead of their trip to the south coast.
One confirmed absentee for the Irons comes in midfield as Brazil international Lucas Paqueta is missing through suspension for picking up five yellow cards before the break.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Todibo, Diouf; Fernandes, Magassa, Potts; Bowen, Wilson, Summerville
Unavailable: Paqueta (Suspended)
Questionable: Mavropanos (Fitness), Potts (Fitness), Fullkrug (Fitness)
Bournemouth vs West Ham prediction
There will be a belief, a hope from the hosts and a fear from the visitors, that their respective results before the break were anomalous, rather than a sign of things to come. West Ham did seem more structured, and Bournemouth’s aggressive intensity had seemed to fade. That said, especially with their home advantage and the fact that a three-match streaks of any result for either side seems unlikely and Bournemouth will expect to at least avoid defeat here.
Bournemouth vs West Ham tip: Double chance – Bournemouth to win or draw
